The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-08
THE ETHICS or THE DOCTORS.

The ArPEAL, with tho highest possible
respect for the doctors, those particularly
who form the tri-State medical society, re-
grets that they refused permission for tho
publication OF any Of the papers read at
their sessions yesterday. Other arts have
been strengthened by the public
confidence that is sure re-
suit OF direct information, and we
believe the doctors, one and all, would b9
greatly benefited by tho publication Of the
transactions Of their societies. As 1t is,
the papers real yesterday will find their
way to the pages OF medical magazines.
II worthy OF this embalming, why not
extend their benefits TO the general
public, which has its own sure way, oven
under existing circumstances Of rigid
ethics, Of ascertaining the standing and
ability OF physicians. There is no litcra-
turc Of greater interest than that which is
devoted to medicine and surgery. II treats
Of tho laws OF health and life and thus
has direct interest for every intelligent
man and woman, and it ought
TO be published broadcast. Until Tyn-
dial, and Huxley, and Proctor made the
sciences plain 10 which they and Darwin,
and Faraday, and Ayes and Hamilton
and others are and were devoted through
the medium OF their Incompatible English,
the word science, so simple in its mean
ing, was deemed by the average man to
DO an impossible barrier. These great
men broke down this barrier and brought
the most abstrusc aud subtle Of thcirprob-
lens within the reach OF every inquiring
mind. Have these sciences lost by these
clear calculations Of their mysteries and Of
the methods OF discovery and propess2
On the contrary, il has widcncd the the
alter Of the operations OF these scientists
aud laid willing world under the weight
lest obligations for class OF knowledge
that had been cursed by the church, with
nm effect to retard the progress of the
world. II is 10 the free inquiry thus
| awakened that mankind is today
indebted for the marvellous progress
made in electricity. The doctors
can not long. in this rcgard, be
a law unto themselves The 81. Louis
Globe Democrat, newspaper Of exccp-
tional value and influence, has made q
specially Of reporting notable cures by
medicine, and also saSrcssful surgical
operations. This Is in spite Of the ethics
Of profession that owes 80 much
TO the collateral sciences that thanks to
lluNlcy and Tyndal, are az open books
easily comprchendcd. The people Of the
world, awakened to tho valuo Of knowledge
by their labors Ia everyday calling to'
more light. rs did the uraa, genius who
laid his spell upon every German hear
with his dying breath, thus voicing the
demand Of n century that is greater by dis.
coycry and 10y the rapid accption, n well
~ diffusion, OF knowledge than all the an.
tcccdcm ages. AS the world rcccdcd from
him he called for more light" perhaps
with some glimpse Of The greater light that
in moment, after broke upon his spiritual
vision. "Morc light" The doctors hay,
themselves, In the progress they hay,
made, cxcmplilcd the psllcssncS Of an
age that has long since passed
the dimmcd and faded and fad
ing lights OF other ycap. The!
cannot expect always to live and ac
hcdgcd In 10y vain conccit oi secrecy, an,
the sooner they brcak away from II III,
better they will find H. They will gain b,
taking the people into their confidence an,
planting themselves upon the broad, lh'
strong. the unassiilablc position OF uni
yclsal intelligence.